Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’s sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 By the time we reach this capstone of the Beatitudes, it has long been evident that true happiness is inseparable from suffering. Of course, Christ continually refers us to the “kingdom of heaven,” in which our sacrificesContinue reading “The Devil’s Cross”
Tag Archives: suffering
Sanctity and Suffering
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that we who celebrate the festival of blessed Catherine thy virgin, may both rejoice in her yearly solemnity, and profit by the example of so great virtue. Traditional Roman Missal How can we profit from the example of St. Catherine of Sienna’s virtue? Born in an age of corruptionContinue reading “Sanctity and Suffering”
Knowing the Lord
It is the “first day of the week,” and the first day of our Lord’s resurrected life (Lk. 24). Two of his disciples are walking on the road, “reason[ing] with themselves,” “and are sad” in their reasoning. It is fitting that Christ appears to them in earnest discourse, for Christ himself is the Logos (Reason)Continue reading “Knowing the Lord”
Gaining Mastery of the World
St. Catherine of Sienna’s Dialogue with Christ begins with a question precisely opposed to the one most of us would think of asking: “What can I do to suffer for you?” In response, Jesus affirms the generosity of her desire, but proceeds to instruct the saint on the true nature and value of Christian suffering.Continue reading “Gaining Mastery of the World”
The Test of True Virtue
St. Catherine of Sienna recounts to us how Christ explained the nature of virtue to her. Every virtue, he stresses, no matter how private it seems, is practiced in relation to others. First, every true virtue is given by God, and performed for love of him. Next, every virtue redounds in some way to theContinue reading “The Test of True Virtue”
Virgin of All Virgins Blest
Virgin of all virgins blest, O refuse not my request: let me in thy weeping share! Stabat Mater Ridolfo Luigi Boccherini (1743–1805) is one of a few composers whose music I most ardently relish. To judge by available recordings, he seems to be responsible for mountains of chamber music—a genre that for whatever reason IContinue reading “Virgin of All Virgins Blest”
Mother and Son
Stabat Mater is a medieval poem, originally designed for private devotion, and eventually incorporated into the liturgy of Holy Week. This amazing site provides a line-by-line examination of the Latin text, with various possible English renditions. The version most familiar to Anglophones, “At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping,” provides easyContinue reading “Mother and Son”
Plentiful Redemption
Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it? For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited forContinue reading “Plentiful Redemption”
Piercing Through
To live by faith is to live in joy, assurance, certitude, confidence in what one must do and suffer at each moment at God’s command. It is to animate and sustain this life of faith that God permits the soul to be overwhelmed and carried away on the tumultuous waters of so many pains, troubles,Continue reading “Piercing Through”
Looking in the Mirror
If a man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass. For he beheld himself, and went his way, and presently forgot what manner of man he was. James 1:23-24 St. Catherine of Sienna is famous, among other things,Continue reading “Looking in the Mirror”
"His Tongue shall Speak Judgment" 